I laid in bed this morning in my half sleep once again trying to come up with an amazing acronym using the letters in Mary's name... today is Mary's birthday #6 and it isn't just any old day! Yes, to a grandmother a special granddaughter's birthday is a special day for sure... especially one that has lived always so close and has shared so much with her loving grandmother. From when Mary was 6 weeks old, I was her babysitter while mom worked half time! She was here with her grandparents a couple days a week and grew up in our arms and before our eyes! She was always such a farmgirl, and we had many adventures day after day and year after year. What joy we had to see her smiling face and watch her grow and learn about the wonder of this world! Yet that is not really the big reason for this day being so Mircaculous! The acronym really is speaking of two arrivals... the arrival of Christ into the world through Mary's "yes." And the arrival of Mary, as she was born and immediately handed to the nurses with the only word spoken being - "limp!" I have shared the story in the past that Ruth was trying a vaginal birth after her first one, Simon, coming into the world through C-section. She felt a terrific pain as she was pushing Mary out, and it was discovered later that her uterus has ruptured and she was airlifted to Sioux Falls. We realize that it was very critical for Mary for those minutes, and that it was close to her being in danger. But after some oxygen... she has been gloriously healthy in every way since! Miraculous Arrival!!!!
As for Ruth, her mom... she went into surgery and her uterus was saved by a woman Catholic surgeon! We rejoiced but then she was told devastating news at her one month check up..no more children! The tears were rivers, and the questions were desperate! How? What should I do? All the artificial and final means to accomplish this came to mind, but we knew that this would only lead to unhappiness upon unhappiness! They went to meet with the doctor,who had saved her uterus. They were told that if they gave her womb a good year or more to heal that there would be a 90% chance that it would be fine. They would just watch her, and get the baby here by C- section as soon as it was ready to come! Paul left there saying in teachers terms that he had been reassured - "90% is an A!" But still the question loomed as to how to accomplish the year of rest, and healing for her womb...
I took all of these amazing afternoon early spring pictures of my sweet granddaughter... we have many special places for pictures around the farm... Mary even started to say that it was "too much!" After taking a break for a snack, we did get more in totally about 225 or so by time we had hit all of our spots! The fact that the lilacs and the apple blossoms are in full bloom made it more miraculous. The sun even decided to come out with puffy clouds in the sky... perfect!
Back to Ruth's dilema... She had sisters and friends that talked about the Creighton Model method of natural spacing of children, but it is so much more than that... it is a way for women to understand their bodies, and treat any problems or issues they might be facing from infertility to issues during pregnancy to female problems like endometriosis! Ruth not only learned to use it for herself - using a natural way to wait for her safety, and with the hope of more children when it was safe. But she went all the way to becoming a Creighton Model Instructor! She now uses her nursing and understanding to help other women use natural means to follow the wisdom of our Church in embracing LIFE and FAMILY! I will share the site here http://www.creightonmodel.com/ And I will also share Ruth's phone number for any that are interested in talking with her... 507-532-1019
Ruth is just a week and a half away from having her second child since Mary... on May 1st she is scheduled to have her little one - we are thrilled, and in constant prayer for their safety! She feels wonderful, and is a testament to trusting in HIM, and following the wisdom of the Church to bring LIFE into the world. I can speak from experience in using natural family planning in my marriage - the charting was something that I always did... I have records from all my married years of fertility... all my pregnancies recognized days after as my temperatures would stay up, etc. It was a wondrous thing to understand and love my inner workings of my body, and to see God's fingerprint on me, and the new life within me! It was a beautiful thing, and it is a book of great wonder for me to look at from time to time! Life is a gift - no matter how small or how short! I celebrated every one of my little ones... from the moment I knew they were there! Some told me that I should wait to share the news with my family until I knew that it wouldn't end in loss, but we are a family of no secrets! And it was a powerful lesson in life and death... making us appreciate each other more, and look towards heaven more. Both of these are good things!
Yes, we had to turn to Jesus and His Church after the birth of Mary, and we were not given anything but LIFE, LOVE and LIGHT! I had great regrets for encouraging Ruth to V-back, but she told me that it was her decision, and that it has turned out to be her ministry to help others. She also is a shining light to others in her willingness to Trust and know that Jesus and His Mother, our Mary Most Holy, are watching out for her and the baby. The doctors wisdom and hands to deliver our new little one are the LORD'S! 
The hopice bell was once again rung for a young boy... just 2 years older than Mary, Gage, who died on Divine Mercy Sunday! Jesus, we trust in you!
Sharing lilac with her namesake - Mary used to be shorter than her and walk over to see her every time we went out for an adventure around the yard. When she was 2 - she would lean on her chest as a child against it's mother! She knew without my telling her that she was her special "Mother!"
Comforting peace and love over the years... Mary, full of grace!
"Mary, do you remember my heart rock?"
"How did you get that grandma?"
"God made it, and I found it!"
"It's so special... God made it for us!" Mary held it close to her and marveled at it! It is so precious... more than silver or gold or diamonds! And so are my miraculous Marys!
See what I mean about the clouds... she went walking in them! How amazing that we had mud puddles yesterday! This was a very big part of our adventures in the yard as she grew up! Thank goodness for the ever larger rubber boots! Although naked with bare feet did happen at the early ages... no longer!
There has to be a calf picture with Mary... she loves her animals! Jesus, this is such a landmark day for our family... yet it goes so much further than just our domestic church/family... Mary's birth marks a bringing of LIGHT into the world in a very real way! She showed us how to trust in you, and to look to the wisdom of your Church in showing us the way to LIFE and LOVE! There is a very real reason for protecting all LIFE, and there are hidden ways that using artificial means to prevent life actually cause life to be adorted - the pill and IUD- they also keep you out of the bedroom, Lord. We want your fingerprint upon us always, Lord! Thank you, Lord and Our Lady, for showing Ruth how to use this hardship to help others, and to promote the Truth! Jesus, we see how you are being restored in this world through the gifts of LIFE, LOVE and LIGHT as we follow the TRUTH! Jesus, we trust in you. Amen and Halleluia, Halleluia, Halleluia!!!!
Bless-bless, Barb
"Grandma I need a snack... there is too much on the farm to do... I'm tired!"
Mary's Prayer teaches us to stay afloat in the ocean of life, with all of its undertows.
"By pronouncing her "fiat" at the Annunciation and giving her consent to the Incarnation, Mary was already collaborating with the whole work her Son was to accomplish. She is mother wherever he is Savior and head of the Mystical Body" (Catechism of the Catholic Church # 973).
I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your Word" (Luke 1:38). This is Mary's "Fiat", her "Yes" to the Lord. It was spoken from a heart filled with pure love for God. In a Biblical context, "heart" is a word that means much more than the fleshy organ at the center of our chest cavity. It refers to our center, the core of each of us, the place where our deepest identity is rooted, and from which our fundamental choices about life are made.
The Annunciation reveals the meaning of the Christian vocation. The Virgin of Nazareth teaches us how to live our real lives in a real world, by saying Yes to the One who created the world and is recreating it through His Son. When the Angel of the Lord appeared, bearing the message and calling her to a special mission, she said "YES." We are invited to say "Yes" as well and believe that "nothing is impossible with God." Let's consider her response to the message: "I am the handmaiden of the Lord; let it be to me according to your Word." It is in these words that we discover the vocation of every Christian."
Wow! I just found this most amazing site for Mary! Visit it yourselves...
http://www.catholic.org/mary/#main
With her brother, Sweet Simon!
And little brother, David... soon she will be holding her new baby! Jesus, we trust in you and praise and thank you! Happy Birthday, Our Mary - Miraculous Arrival Restoring YOU, Jesus!
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